I like a bargain as much as the next person, but I don’t like buying cheap for the sake of it. There’s that old saying “buy cheap, buy twice”, however, Companies such as Garden of Wisdom and The Ordinary are proving that excellent products can come at a lower price.

Garden of Wisdom (GoW) was formed a decade ago in the USA, but it’s recently had a launch in the UK through the Victoria Health website. GoW’s ethos is “potent, cruelty-free, natural ingredients at thrifty price points, without common skincare additives such as alcohol, silicones or soya”. There has been criticism of these budget products though, as often they are in smaller packaging and they can be individual ingredients, so you end up buying a few which becomes more expensive. However, it does make it easier to tailor make the products you actually want to use.

I decided on 3 products from the GoW range: Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum £20 for 30ml; Niacinamide Serum £9 for 30ml; and Vitamin C 23% + Ferulic Acid Serum £10 for 30ml. There are hints for skincare regimes on the Victoria Health website, to help you decide which products are appropriate for you.

GoW Anti-Aging MultiPeptide Serum is full of ingredients designed to enhance collagen synthesis, reduce muscle movement and help achieve smooth, youthful skin. It’s a great mixture of science and nature. The formula includes Argireline to inhibit the formation of expression wrinkles by inhibiting muscle movement; SYN®-COLL– a patented synthetic tripeptide that helps slow down the ageing process; Matrixyl 3000 which is a combination of peptides that promote new collagen production and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; Hyaluronic acid; and Superoxide Dismutase a powerful antioxidant. I use this every morning and evening after cleansing and toning, mixed in with the Niacinamide Serum.

I was a bit wary about getting the Niacinamide Serum (vitamin B3) as it was described as being really effective against acne breakouts, I’ve never suffered from acne and obviously now have mature dry skin. However, I bought it because it also does so many any other things such as improving pore appearance, improving hyperpigmentation, hydrating and softening the skin, improving the skin’s barrier function to prevent dehydration. Niacinamide Serum also contains Pantothenic acid, vitamin B5, which binds to moisture, acting as a natural hydrator to improve skin’s softness and elasticity.

I use the serum after cleansing/toning morning and evening. I mix one pump each of the Multipeptide Serum and the Niacinamide Serum together and then apply on my face, neck and decollete area. Once every two days or so I will also put them on my eye area to give it a boost.

My third product is the Vitamin C 23% + Ferulic Acid Serum. I was on the lookout for a new Vitamin C product as I found my previous product, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 30%, too strong. I’ve talked a lot about Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) in previous blogs, we know that it has been shown to defend skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure whilst enhancing the production of collagen and brightening the skin. The GoW serum also includes Ferulic acid which is an antioxidant found in the cell walls of plants. It protects vitamin C against oxidation and destroys superoxide and hydroxyl radicals helping to protect skin against ageing. Ferulic acid is particularly beneficial for protecting skin against sun damage.

I use the Vitamin C serum every other night, I alternate with a retinol product. This is a lovely serum, so easy to apply and not at all harsh on my skin. I follow with my oil/moisturiser/night cream and every morning I also use a sunscreen.

I like all 3 of these products, they apply easily and absorb well. Sometimes you know a product is well made and you can literally feel it going into your skin and starting to work, the GoW products fall into that category. They are definitely all going to be repurchased.